AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage announced a series of legislative initiatives on Friday that the administration says are aimed at reducing electricity rates in Maine and providing homeowners with more options to lower their energy costs.

Some aspects of the governor’s bills are likely to encounter opposition, however, from groups concerned that the administration is weakening Maine policies intended to encourage development of renewable energy.

The LePage administration has introduced four bills late in the legislative session. Key provisions of those bills would:

• Seek to encourage entering into long-term contracts with hydropower producers by changing the state’s attitude toward hydropower, treating it the same as wind power or solar power.

• Create a rebate program for the purchase of efficient home heating systems.

• Make substantial changes to Efficiency Maine Trust, which distributes money for energy initiatives.

• Create new programs to encourage homeowners to invest in efficient electric heating systems.

“One of the largest inhibitors, if not the biggest obstacle to job creation is Maine’s high energy costs,” LePage said in a statement. “The No. 1 focus of my administration is jobs, and if we want economic prosperity in Maine, we need to focus on reducing the cost of electricity and energy for Maine’s job creators.”

LePage has clashed with environmental groups over state policies adopted by previous administrations dealing with renewable energy, such as wind power, and programs aimed at energy efficiency and weatherization. The governor has said that the state’s top focus must be on encouraging electricity sources that will lower rates — regardless of the generation type — and has often suggested that existing renewable energy policies were designed to funnel money to “special interest groups.”

The governor reiterated the latter suggestion on Friday.

“My energy policy will focus on all forms of energy, providing Mainers the freedom to choose which sources to buy from,” LePage said. “I do not support Augusta being in the business of increasing costs of Maine people to pad the pockets of special interest groups. We need to empower Maine people to take control of their energy fate.”